1 Kings 6 7

1 Kings 6:7 kjv

And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

1 Kings 6:7 nkjv

And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.

1 Kings 6:7 niv

In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.

1 Kings 6:7 esv

When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built.

1 Kings 6:7 nlt

The stones used in the construction of the Temple were finished at the quarry, so there was no sound of hammer, ax, or any other iron tool at the building site.

1 Kings 6 verses

1 Kings 6 7 Meaning

First Kings 6:7 describes the meticulous and quiet construction of Solomon's Temple, emphasizing that all the stones used were pre-cut and prepared at the quarry before being brought to the temple site. This precision meant that no sound of hammers, chisels, or any iron tools, typically associated with stone dressing, was heard during the actual assembly of the sacred edifice in Jerusalem. It underscores a profound theological point about the divine order, purity, and reverence associated with God's dwelling place.

1 Kings 6 7 Context

First Kings Chapter 6 meticulously details the construction of Solomon's Temple, marking a pivotal moment in Israelite history. After David's desire to build God a house (2 Sam 7), it fell to Solomon to fulfill this promise (1 Ki 5). The preceding verses describe the vast resources, manpower, and international cooperation involved in this massive undertaking. Verse 7 specifically focuses on the precision and manner of construction of the foundational stones of the Temple itself. This distinct construction method—stones being fully prepared at a distant quarry—highlights the sanctity of the temple site. It was not merely a large building project but a sacred endeavor where God's presence was to dwell. The quiet assembly implicitly contrasts with typical, noisy, human-driven construction sites of the ancient world, including those of pagan temples, emphasizing divine order over human clamor. This also implies reverence and peace being paramount in a space dedicated to the Almighty.

1 Kings 6 7 Word analysis

• When the temple was built: Refers to the Bet YHWH (House of Yahweh), the permanent structure for God's dwelling after the portable Tabernacle. This denotes the final assembly phase.
• it was built: Implies the progressive bringing together of prepared components, rather than raw materials.
• with stone prepared: The Hebrew for "prepared stone" is אֶבֶן שְׁלֵמָה ('even shəlemâ), meaning "whole stone" or "complete/perfect stone." This is significant; it wasn't roughly hewn stone, but stones precisely cut, dressed, and finished to their exact dimensions. This implies meticulous pre-planning and perfect execution.
• at the quarry: The Hebrew is בַּמַּחְצֵב (bam-maḥtzêḇ), literally "at the place of cutting" or "quarry." This signifies the origin of the preparation and underlines that the raw, noisy work happened away from the sacred site. The location of preparation matters.
• so that neither hammer: מַקֶּבֶת (maqqebeth). A heavy pounding tool, used for rough shaping or breaking stones. Its absence signifies the completion of destructive or violent shaping work.
• nor chisel: מַחְרֶשֶׁת (maḥareshet). A tool for finer cutting or scoring stone. Its absence signifies that no fine finishing or reshaping was needed on site.
• nor any other iron tool: כָּל כְּלִי בַּרְזֶל (kol kəlî barzel). This is an inclusive phrase, indicating any metallic instrument used in construction, especially one that creates loud sounds. Iron tools were associated with strength, utility, but also potentially violence and common human striving.
• was heard: Implies the remarkable silence and tranquility. It's not just that tools weren't used, but that their typical sound was absent. This points to an atmosphere of reverence.
• in the temple while it was being built: Explicitly locates the silence on the sacred site during the assembly phase. This silence consecrated the space even during construction, setting it apart as holy.

Words-group analysis:

• "stone prepared at the quarry": This phrase emphasizes divine forethought and pre-destined order. The raw material was perfected elsewhere, symbolizing that God's plan is complete before its manifestation, and that foundational work for God's house is not left to improvisation. This concept of perfection through preparation speaks to a high standard of dedication and obedience.
• "neither hammer nor chisel nor any other iron tool was heard": This central clause highlights the extraordinary silence and absence of jarring, loud human effort. It's not just a practical detail; it's a symbolic one. It signifies that the sacred space being raised for God should not be defiled by the clatter and striving of human effort or the sounds of tools that could also be instruments of war or destruction. It creates an atmosphere of peace and reverential quiet, fit for God's dwelling, underscoring that the true building work of God's house is supernatural and divinely orchestrated, not a noisy human achievement. This quietness underscores the sanctity and solemnity required for building God's dwelling.

1 Kings 6 7 Bonus section

• The requirement for uncut stones on altars (Ex 20:25, Deut 27:5-6) establishes a similar principle: for sacred structures and offerings, human intervention with iron tools was often avoided or minimized, emphasizing God's untouched, pure design over human fabrication. While the Temple stones were cut, the key here is the location and manner of the cutting, separate from the holy site.
• The emphasis on preparation also aligns with the theme of God's foreknowledge and meticulous planning for His people and redemptive history (e.g., Eph 1:4). Just as each stone was predetermined, prepared, and fit into its specific place, so too are believers, as "living stones" (1 Pet 2:5), being carefully shaped and placed by God into His spiritual temple.
• This verse can be seen as a contrast to earthly, material-driven kingdoms. While other nations might build with loud fanfare and demonstrative human power, God's dwelling is assembled in quiet, dignified reverence, highlighting His transcendent power that does not require human boastfulness.

1 Kings 6 7 Commentary

1 Kings 6:7 presents a striking image of a building erected with an almost supernatural quietness, serving as a powerful theological statement. The physical absence of "hammer, chisel, or any iron tool" in the Temple area while under construction symbolizes several profound truths. First, it speaks to divine perfection and precision; God's plans are so perfectly conceived that the components for His dwelling fit together flawlessly, requiring no last-minute, noisy adjustments. This reflects God's ordered nature and meticulous work in salvation. Second, the silence underscores the holiness of the Temple as God's abode. Human noise, striving, and even tools capable of violence were to be kept separate from the sanctity of the place being assembled for the Most High. This suggests that God's work, particularly in building His spiritual kingdom (His church), is not characterized by the clamor of human strength or argument, but by the quiet, perfect operation of His Spirit and Word. It points to a spiritual house being built by grace, not by human effort or a jarring struggle. The construction in peace foreshadows the peace that should characterize God's presence and His people.